May 2 - 4: Alligator Farm

The Alligator Farm in St. Augustine has LOTS of alligators but photographers go there for the nesting birds. The birds are attracted to the site because the alligators like to eat their natural enemies who would rob their nests of eggs and babies, such as raccoons and snakes. Of course, if a baby falls into the water (and the alligators try to make this happen) it instantly becomes an alligator snack but safety always has a price. Here are some photos from our three-day visit:

This is a snowy egret in display mode -- gotta catch the gals' eyes.

The babies naturally try to get another bird (usually their parents) to put their beaks in their mouths -- to get dinner spit into their mouths!

Sometimes we get distracted by sights that aren't birds such as this bug . . .

Or the Loch Ness alligator . . .

The two below are cattle egrets -- so called because they like to hang out with things that stir up insects such as cows (or tractors or horses).

The red legs on this one shows that he is showing off for the ladies.

And this is Joyce's favorite image from Ron, it has a real Japanese feeling.